Election observer replaced in Faridkot

This was done on the orders of the state election commission. Sandhewalia, a PCS officer, is the joint commissioner of the SAS Nagar municipal corporation.

Sidhu, an IAS officer currently serving as labour commissioner, has been appointed the new observer for elections to the block samiti and zila parishad elections.

Nothing could be learnt about the reason for the replacement, though according to sources, both SAD and Congress leaders claim themselves to be behind the move.

Congress leader Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon and Congress MLA Joginder Singh had recently alleged that the nominations of about 10 Congress candidates for block samiti and one for zila parishad were cancelled/rejected on frivolous grounds under political pressure.

The CPI on Friday had alleged that some of its nominations were withdrawn by putting fake signatures while they wanted to contest the elections.

But the ruling party leaders and the returning officers denied they were under any political pressure.